Brandy is a distilled spirit made from virtually any fermented fruit or starchy vegetable.…

Method

Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Line the base and sides of a 20cm cake tin first with a double layer of brown paper, then with a double layer of baking parchment. In a large bowl, mix the fruit, almonds, peel, figs and cherries. Turn well and add the flour, spices and lemon zest. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar thoroughly, then add the vanilla extract, honey and treacle. Still beating, incorporate the eggs, then stir in the fruit and flour mixture. Dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in the milk and stir in thoroughly. Add the brandy by the spoonful, until you have a soft dropping consistency.

Turn the batter into the cake tin and make a dip in the middle using the back of a spoon. Bake for 3½ hrs, then insert a skewer – if it comes out clean, it’s ready. If there is any cake mix on the skewer, give it 10 mins more and test again. When it’s done, remove the cake from the oven and leave to cool in its tin. The next day, remove from the tin, wrap in fresh greaseproof paper, then put it into an airtight tin or wrap tightly in foil. The usual thing is to keep the cake for at least a month before icing it, and to unwrap and sprinkle it occasionally with more brandy.

Comments, questions and tips

Forgot to add, I used a 23cm (9inch) cake tin, and in my oven it took about 3 hrs 15 mins.

Fit lass

12th Nov, 2017

5.05

This cake is absolutely delicious! I made it over the summer for my birthday cake, and my family have asked for the recipe too. I made two a couple of months ago, as I'm now converted from my usual xmas cake, and feed them both with a couple of tablespoons of sherry every fortnight.
For the mixed fruit, I used a combination of dried apricots, cranberries, raisins, sultanas, currants and dates. Also used some left over glace ginger the first time I did it.
I also put marzipan and royal icing on, but that is just personal preference. I'm sure it'll taste just as nice without.

fionablandford

15th Dec, 2016

~Very very good cake, i soaked the fruit in ornage juice as I am teetotal, left it overnight and it made the fruit and the cake very moist and tasty, loads of compliments! I didnt have quite the right proportions of fuit so i made up the amount with what I had and this worked well. I used a mix of dried cherries, cranberries, rasins etc!

sarah.westbury6...

15th Feb, 2014

5.05

Lovely cake I don't add the brandy and in my oven it take 4.5 hours to cook but it's such a favourite with everyone I can't make it quick enough!

bennysmum100

9th Nov, 2013

Hear hear - have also made it for the last 3 years - and just off to make it 4.
Easy to make and so moist

allygoat

31st Aug, 2013

I love this cake and have made it for the last 3 years. By family were so impressed with it I had to make them all one! It is a lovely moist cake. I would comment that it does take a little longer to cook but is so good you don't mind.

missflops

12th Jan, 2013

Excellent fruit cake. Rich, moist and delicious. Perfect for Xmas when layered with marzipan and icing. Its a huge cake so plenty to enjoy after the festive season is long gone. :-)

suebakervondel

25th Dec, 2012

Family very happy with the cake, sadly no matter which type of fruit cake I make, I still don't like it.

scattycat

9th Dec, 2012

5.05

Now made two in the last week, looks good smells good will be interested to see the reaction by friends and family when tasted.
I did cut out the peel and added extra nuts instead, surprising the number of people that do not like it

Pages

I have never made a Christmas cake before and am going to try this recipe, the only thing throwing me is the fact that it says leave to cool in the tin until the day after!! Do I literally do that or do I cover it? Sorry I'm such a novice :)

goodfoodteam

15th Oct, 2014

Hi there, thanks for the question, leave it in the tin until it's fully cooled. Depending on the time you make it it may be the next day, don't cover it until it's fully cool or it will sweat. It will take a long time to cool as it's a dense cake.

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